Indians talk, love and breathe cinema. Even in this pandemic, film fanatics do not miss out on the latest Indian and international releases on various OTT platforms. We all have our favourite actors, directors, writers, musicians, cinematographers and so on. And, then there are certain films that we can go back again and again.
Among all the existing film industries, the country shares a special bond with Bollywood. In fact, the Hindi film industry is known worldwide. Celebrities share two of their favourite Bollywood titles that they have watched several times and why. Read on:
Prashant Bajaj
Malamaal Weekly (2006) and Hungama (2003), both have comedies. Apart from the narrative there are some amazing comic scenes that just make me laugh out loud every single time. It just refreshes my mind after a stressful day. I can watch these films many times.
Somy Ali
The 1982 film Arth is one of my favourities. It emphasizes the fact that a woman does not need a man to be complete, more so, someone who cheats on her. At the same time there are men, who must be celebrated. The film also addresses mental health issues. Thappad (2020) is the other film closest to my heart. What a revolutionary film it is! What an ending! Ten years ago, there was no way we could anticipate this kind of climax. Getting slapped around by men in our culture as wives or girlfriends has been a norm for generations. This film questions that norm, kudos to the makers. Remarkable performances by Taapsee (Pannu) and Pavail Gulati takes the film a notch higher. Overall, it gives out an excellent message to young girls and women about domestic violence. I also love the scene where the abuser realises what he did was wrong that rarely happens in real life or in Hindi cinema.
Pritam Singh
The first one would be Hero (1983). That film made me fall in love with Bollywood and I started dreaming of becoming an actor when I grew up. The second is Mehmood (actor-filmmaker) saab’s Padosan (1968). This is my all time favourite movie. I have lost the count of how many times I have watched it. It’s a light-hearted comedy that just lifts your mood even during the most difficult times.
Meera Deosthale
Two of my favourite Bollywood films are Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011). I was all the more in love with Madhuri (Dixit-Nene) after watching Dil To Pagal Hai. Her look, character and performance charm me every time I watch it. Amid our busy life, we all forget to live life to the fullest, forget the essence of who we are. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara helps us connect to our inner self, start loving our life once again. Well, both these films are about love, hope and faith. Things that I want to hold on to in life.
Aarvika Gupta
I just enjoy watching Cocktail (2012) again and again. The variations and journey of Deepika Padukone’s role is amazing. She did justice to the part. Then there is Jab We Met (2007). I love everything about this film - story, characters, dialogues, direction and even the songs. It's difficult to forget Kareena Kapoor Khan’s and Shahid Kapoor’s performances in the film.
Nivedita Basu
The two films would be Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983) and Andaz Apna Apna (1994). Both have superb actors, superb story and super performances. These films are perfect mood lifters and can be watched repeatedly.
Delnaaz Irani
I don’t have just two movies but the ling is long. The one that I love the most is Karz (1980) for the simple reason that it’s a Rishi Kapoor film and the music was heart touching. I am a huge Rishi Kapoor fan. I think Subhash Ghai and Rishi ji’s combination have worked wonders in the film. I actually have the CD of this film and earlier I used to watch it in between my shoots. The other two films are Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) and Satte Pe Satta (1982). Amar Akbar Anthony is had all the action, masala and romance that we love watching on the big screen. And Rishi ji also features in it. Satte Pe Satta is a fun film and the story of mistaken identity and family bonding melts your heart.